Mackenzie Phillips recently discussed the pivotal moment that led to her exit from the TV show “One Day at a Time.” At the Fanboy Expo Knoxville in Tennessee, she spoke about the “morals clause” in her contract that played a role in her sudden departure from the series.
Struggles Behind the Scenes
Phillips, who became famous alongside Bonnie Franklin and Valerie Bertinelli, was dealing with addiction issues behind the scenes. The 66-year-old actress revealed that her battles with substance abuse resulted in specific terms being added to her contract.
“We all had a morals contract, but mine was a little more specific,” Phillips explained during the event, as reported by People magazine.
According to the actress, producers were allowed to take her to a doctor for urinalysis if they suspected she was under the influence. Her contract was more stringent than her co-stars due to her ongoing struggles.
The Incident That Led to Her Dismissal
Phillips recounted a turning point during a lunch break when she was found asleep on a couch. Patricia Fass Palmer, a co-executive producer who later became her friend, informed her of the need for a drug test. Despite Phillips’s request to delay the test to allow substances to clear her system, Palmer insisted it happen immediately.
“She said, ‘No, we’re not waiting until tomorrow,'” Phillips remembered. “And I said, ‘OK, well.’ She said, ‘All right, Mac. Grab your stuff and get it together. Get all your stuff. And leave.’ So that’s what I did. And that was that.”
This incident led to her character being written off the show in 1980. She returned for a brief storyline but left permanently in 1983.
Phillips’s Reflections on Addiction
Phillips has been open about her battle with addiction. In an interview with Fox News Digital, she reminisced about using drugs with Bertinelli during breaks on the show, adding context to her struggles.
“Valerie talks about it openly,” Phillips said. “Valerie didn’t have the kind of addiction that I had.” She emphasized the common nature of drug use during the show’s production.
Phillips expressed gratitude for being caught, seeing it as a turning point in her life. Her faith and perspective have grounded her in recent years. When people express sympathy for her past, she views her experiences as integral to who she has become.
“Don’t feel sorry for me because everything I went through, even though it was horrible and difficult, made me the woman I am today,” she shared.
Resilience and Helping Others
Phillips stressed the importance of resilience, developed through her faith and personal strength. Her life experiences have not only shaped her but also motivated her to help others struggling with similar issues.
The actress has applied her recovery experiences to work as a counselor and manager at Breathe Life Healing Centers. Her memoir “High on Arrival” and its sequel “Hopeful Healing” detail her journey through addiction and recovery.
Phillips’s story exemplifies resilience and the transformative power of overcoming personal obstacles. Her ongoing commitment to assisting others highlights her belief in recovery and hope.
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